The Emperor of the Forest: Dr. Chris Jenkins on Saving Florida’s Indigo Snake

Send us Fan MailIn this special episode of the Palm & Pine Podcast, the boys of Old Florida sit down with renowned wildlife biologist Dr. Chris Jenkins, CEO of The Orianne Society, to explore one of the most mysterious and iconic creatures of the Southeast — the Eastern Indigo Snake, known by many as “the Emperor of the Forest.”From its deep roots in Florida’s wildest habitats to the threats pushing it toward the brink, we dig into the full story behind this legendary serpent. Dr. Jenkins breaks down the science, the myths, the conservation battles, and the ongoing efforts to restore indigos across their historic range.We talk:🐍 The biology and behavior of the Eastern Indigo Snake🌲 Why it earned the title “Emperor of the Forest”🔥 The collapse of longleaf pine ecosystems🏜️ Habitat loss, fragmentation, and the gopher tortoise connection🔬 Modern conservation tools, genetics, and reintroduction strategies🛠️ What it will take to bring this species back to the wilds of FloridaWhether you’re a wildlife nerd, a Florida history buff, a hunter, a landowner, or someone who simply loves the deep magic of Old Florida, this episode is packed with insight, field stories, and hope for the future of this magnificent species.Tune in and join us as we shine a spotlight on one of Florida’s greatest natural treasures — and the fight to save it.Learn more here-https://www.oriannesociety.org/https://www.instagram.com/oriannesocietyhttps://x.com/OrianneSocietywww.youtube.com/@TheOrianneSocietyCheck out Chris’s Podcast-  SNAKE TALK Support the showIntroduction by Butch Faulkner.  Music created on SUNO AI. Support the podcast at: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/palmandpineJoin our Patreon Community https://www.patreon.com/c/PalmandPinePodcastVisit our website:  http://palmandpine.net/Purchase one of Prof. Barlow’s books to support the podcast:http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/dbarlow